Last March 29 to April 1, 2015 marked one of the most significant events for the participants of Bert Lozada Swim School TEAM UNITED and Philippine Swimming. A 2012 United States Olympic Coach, TODD SCHMITZ, came to Manila to give a 4-day clinic to our BLSS TEAM UNITED and to grace the one-time screening of […]

Last March 29 to April 1, 2015 marked one of the most significant events for the participants of Bert Lozada Swim School TEAM UNITED and Philippine Swimming. A 2012 United States Olympic Coach, TODD SCHMITZ, came to Manila to give a 4-day clinic to our BLSS TEAM UNITED and to grace the one-time screening of “TOUCH THE WALL”.

TOUCH THE WALL is the story of two amazing women and their journey to swimming’s highest stage – the 2012 London Olympics. The young phenom (Missy Franklin) is just beginning her career and is saddled with mile-high expectations; the veteran (Kara Lynn Joyce) is trying to rediscover the juice that took her the previous two Olympics. Touch the Wall is a story of winning and losing, of commitment, and triumph through adversity. It’s also a story of family, of loving what you do, and having fun with the people around you. In a world starved for heroes, Missy and Kara stand tall in Touch the Wall.

Todd Schmitz, the coach and the one responsible in bringing Missy Franklin to gold medals and new world records to 2012 Olympics, is one of the stars of this movie. According to him, we are the fourth country to have this film showing which was first shown in the US last December 2014.

Coach Todd’s presence in the screening and the questions that were answered brought new meaning in to the viewer’s swimming life. Inspiring all swimmers, coaches, and swim parents to love and keep swimming.

The 4-day camp was also a blast! It was exclusively participated by 50 athletes and 30 coaches of Bert Lozada Swim School Team United held in De La Salle Zobel. Coach Todd started the clinic with an emphasis on “FUN” making all the sessions enjoyable with excitement and high energy.

The camp were composed of pool sessions for all four strokes including starts and turns. Topics such as motivation, mental toughness, visualization, goal setting, training program, were just few of the things that were discussed during the classroom sessions. Coach Todd also gave some land exercises that can be used before every start of swim practice.

A parent talk entitled “PARENTING CHAMPION SWIMMERS” was one of the highlights of the camp wherein swim parents were educated on how to actively participate as a parent of a swimmer. Coach Todd also gave emphasis on the triangle relationship where parents and coaches must work together for the success of the swimmer’s career.

Sumptuous and delicious lunch from Seafood Restaurant were served every day. It brought smiles and energies to everyone after a tiring morning session.

All were very appreciative with the successful turn-out of this camp. There’s no other way to be the best but to learn from the experts. Here are some of our take homes:

“Swimming is LIFE”
“Swimming FAST is FUN”
“LEARN every time you swim”
“LITTLE changes can lead to BIG changes”
“COACHING is TEACHING”

Coach Todd finished the camp with a quote “I am a better coach now because I have learned so much from you.”

It was indeed a very worthwhile and learning time for all BLSS Team United participants. This is just the first of the many innovations that Bert Lozada Swim School will bring to our swimmers. To God be all the glory and honor.

This stroke of choice for most fitness swimmers may be the slowest stroke of the four, but it doesn’t mean that you cannot use it powerfully and with speed. Initial Body position Keep your body level at the surface. Make sure that your hips are flat in the water and both your shoulders are in […]

This stroke of choice for most fitness swimmers may be the slowest stroke of the four, but it doesn’t mean that you cannot use it powerfully and with speed.

Initial Body position

Keep your body level at the surface. Make sure that your hips are flat in the water and both your shoulders are in line before moving your legs and feet together like a frog.

Leg and Feet Movement

With your arms streamlined in front, bend your knees and lift your feet up to your buttocks facing out. Push back with the bottom of your foot towards the side then going in again, legs straight until your knees touch.

Arm and Upper Body movement

Start with your arms stretched out in front, just under the surface of the water. Press both hands outwards, palms facing out and draw a circle by pulling your palms and forearms towards your chest. Make sure that your hands stay in front of your shoulders. Coming to a full circle, your hands should meet in the middle, just in front of your chest and then finish by stretching forward again.

Breathing

As you draw a circle with your hands, breathe in by lifting your head and chest out of the water. Once you’ve finished the full circle, lean your face and your body in the water as you stretch your arms forward.